Chapter I

Persephone walked across the dense forest, her worn out boots snapping the foliage. She sighed and checked her compass. Still a long way to go. She looked around at the tall trees around her, eyes scanning for possible threats before continuing onwards.

There was a faint rumble in the distance, the familiar sound of carriages and automobiles traveling across the winding road. She ducked behind a tree to avoid being seen. She heard the carriage pass and released a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

These woods were dangerous and swarming with heavily armed pirates. But she had to take a chance. This was the only route to the neighboring village. She'd been on the run for six months now, away from her family, her village, her home. But she had to.

She had turned 13 six months ago, and the guards had come to take her away and sell her as a slave or a maid for the wealthier families. She would rather die than have to serve the rich. So she filled up her rucksack, and left.

One less child to feed, she thought bitterly.

She'd loved her family, there was no doubt about that, but she felt as though she didn't belong. She didn't anyway. When Persephone was only seven, she learned she was adopted.

Or found, actually. Found deep in the dangerous forests. Left for the wolves. Abandoned. It sickened her. She hated her parents for not telling her sooner.

It was also dangerous to stay. Her hair was a shimmering gold, just like Xanthe. The Queen had all the golden haired girls executed in fear that one of them turned out to be the lost princess. Persephone lived her life afraid if one of the guards saw her, hair dyes deeming too expensive.

But none of that mattered now. She'd gotten away from it all. She was on her own now.

Just then, she felt a cold knife pressed to her neck, interrupting her thoughts.

"State your name and purpose." A voice commanded.

She tried not to panic. "Persephone Angelo, runaway."

Then she was released. She turned around to face the pirate, confused. "You're not going to hurt me?"

"Why would I do that?" He laughed. "You're one of us." He extended his arms towards the sides and people emerged from behind the trees and into view.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"I ran away from home," He said. "back when I was just a little boy. The name's Jamie, by the way."

"So you all are runaways." She repeated.

"Yes, I just said that." He answered. "Now, the question is, Persephone, will you join our pirating ways?"

"Wait, hold on a second. You want me to join you?" She asked. "I just met you!"

"Yes. So will you?" He inquired.

"Just like that?"

"Just like that." Jamie repeated after her.

"Yes. I will." She said without a moment's hesitation.

"Well then, congratulations Persephone Angelo, you are now an official pirate." He shook her hand. "Let me introduce you to the others."

He led her back to their village, it was a small but secretive and cozy one. She rather liked it.

They all gathered at the bonfire, and Jamie stood up, pulling Persephone with him.

"Attention everyone! I would like to introduce to you our newest addition, Persephone Angelo." There was a chorus of hellos.

"So," Someone asked as she sat down. "what's your story?"

"Well, I..."

"Oh come on!" One of them said. "Why did you run away? We all want to know."

"Alright." She said with a sigh. "It all started when I was very small." She began. "I lived among the poorest of the villagers. They treated us like filth. We did all the dirty work, cleaning and farming mostly. I don't really know what kept us going. One of my brothers also started training as a soldier, and he taught me all the moves. I caught on quickly. Then one day I asked my mother why I didn't look like them, and she sat me down and told me I was adopted, or rather 'found' deep in the woods. Abandoned. And so it started. I began to question everything. I had also been hiding. The Queen hated gold haired girls because she was scared of Xanthe and her prophecy. Every golden head she would find would get executed immediately. Then six months ago, on my thirteenth birthday, the guards came to seize young girls and sell them to slavery. They came for me and I was spotted. That's the day I ran."

"That was brave of you, Persephone." A blonde said. "Running away at a time like that."

"But really," She answered, "Me? A maid? I don't think so."

They all laughed at that.

"Do you know those stories? The tale of Xanthe?" A brunette asked.

"Oh yes, how could I not?" She smiled.

"They say she'll save us one day," One of the younger kids said. "The golden haired princess."

Persephone reminisced about her childhood. It was filled with stories and hopes of Xanthe returning and taking the crown. The tale spoke of her getting lost and separated from her parents at birth. She would return one day. She would claim the throne.

Author's Note: So here it is at last. Legend of Xanthe. I really have to stop making my characters look like me. It's a bad habit. Well anyway, I got the idea for this while doing a history essay. So I wrote it down very quickly and that's exactly why it's so crappy. Oh well. Enjoy.

-Mayah